One statement I hear often is If I had a workout buddy, Id be motivated to workout. It sounds good in theory, but theory does not always translate in the real world. Sharing a workout with someone else, as a way of entertaining yourself is one thing. Becoming reliant on that other persons presence to keep you motivated is another, and it can wreck your fitness program in subtle ways. For that reason, I dont, as a rule, recommend using a workout buddy. Now before you assume that Im some lone-wolf workout fanatic, let me tell you that Ive had a workout buddy, my mom, and the system worked well for both of us. I miss having her as part of my fitness routine since I moved away from Southern California. For several years, every Monday and Friday, she picked me up and we went to the gym. And sometimes we jogged or power-walked at the park. This not only served as added motivation for both of us to workout, but also allowed us to spend more time together. Our workout buddy relationship was a success because each of us was internally motivated, and did not rely on the other for her workouts. If one of us was sick or out of town, the other kept up with her routine. The buddy system enhanced our individual commitments and motivation, and made our workouts more enjoyable. But it could have turned out very differently. When reliance on another person becomes your most important motivating factor for working out, your exercise program is in jeopardy. First, the assumption is that the other person has enough motivation for you both. This is never the case. While we can all be influenced by the motivation of someone else, our own internal motivation is needed to carry us the distance. And, if both parties are significantly reliant on the buddy relationship for motivation, they are doomed to fail from the start. Their individual lack of internal motivation will not only end the buddy relationship, but their own personal exercise programs as well. Second, if you have a workout buddy who moves away or has a change in schedule, the fact that the buddy is gone can serve as a de-motivating factor in your own workouts. This is also true for the person who depends on the presence of a personal trainer to keep motivated. If your motivation to exercise becomes largely linked to the physical presence of another person, you are less likely to stay on track because the other person will not always be available to exercise with you. Third, when two people connect as workout buddies, they often have different goals, are at different fitness levels, and have different needs. If you follow your workout buddys exercise program, you may not get an intense enough workout, or the right type of workout, for the results you want. On the other hand, you could end up pushing too hard to keep up with your buddy, injuring yourself in the process. However, the workout buddy relationship, when it works properly, can add a wonderful dimension to your workouts, as well as providing both of you with some added motivation. Consider the following when committing to a workout buddy: - Are you clear on your own values, goals, and commitment to exercise, regardless of your buddy?
- Have you ascertained what aerobic, strength, and flexibility exercises you need to do in order to meet your specific goals, regardless of your workout buddys fitness routine?
- Do you know how to progress your exercise program forward towards your goals, regardless of the exercises your buddy needs to do?
- Talk with your potential buddy about her motivation. Does she also have sufficient clarity surrounding her values, goals, and commitment to exercise, without relying on you as her main source of motivation?
- Consider having more than one buddy that you do different activities with. For example, you may hike with one and golf with another.
- Have a back up plan for when your buddy cannot make your scheduled workout session. For example, will you go to the gym even if he cant meet you there, or will you go for a bike ride at the park instead?
- Schedule some workouts on your own on a weekly basis, especially if you and your buddy are at different fitness levels.
If you set up the workout buddy relationship properly in the beginning, you will make sure that each of you enjoys the connection, and reaches your goals in the process. |
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